Info
Mykonos is famed as a cosmopolitan destination amongst the Greek islands and widely recognised as one of the great travel meccas. It is the most touristed island in the Aegean. This means that any visitors should be prepared for loud dance clubs, English breakfasts and over-priced merchandise.
Mykonos is a grand example of unique cycladic architecture set around a picturesque fishing-village bay. Totally whitewashed organic cube-like buildings fit closely together to form a kind of haphazard maze of narrow alley ways and streets.
Many well preserved windmills and hundreds of tiny red-roofed churches adds a flavour of culture and custom to the scene, enhanced even further by many museums and the historical ancient site of nearby Delos.
On Mykonos you can get around by scooter, ATV, car, or bus. A sophisticated bus network, which takes you to virtually any point of the island.
Additionally taxis operate at constant rate. In the evening, it can be nearly impossible to find a taxi. You can wait hours at the taxi queue in town.
There are now two ferry terminals at Hora (Mykonos), the main sea port on the island. If you are on foot and leaving the island, be certain whether your ferry leaves from the old port (the nearest one to the main section of town) or the New Port (about 10 km to the north).
There is also a third "port" from whence boats to and from Delos depart and arrive, but most travellers won't confuse this with the ferry landings.
Mykonos Beaches
- Agios Ioannis Beach - a small beach with fantastic snorkeling opportunities. Never got over crowded, deck chairs were available to rent. Great tavern and cocktail bar very close. Not a tourist beach. Was used in the film Shirly Valentine
- Paradise Beach - a crowded party beach for the under 30 set, nudity is common. Large pebbly sand is great for windy days.
- Super Paradise Beach - another crowded party beach for the under 30 set. Paradise and Super Paradise may be some sort of quarantine created by the locals. Also popular with gays, and transgenders. Nudity is quite common and practised in the central beach area.
- Psarou Beach - Half the beach chairs and umbrella require reservations during peak season. Non-reserved chairs are available first come, first served.
- Platys Gialos Beach - busy family and tourist beach. Jet ski rentals available.
- Elia Beach - Rents beach chairs and umbrella for 10 euro. Rentals for Jet ski, waterskiing, wakeboarding and para sailing are available. Elia is a large beach compared to other Mykonos beaches. Nudity is permitted but not as common as Paradise, Super Paradise and Paranga.
- Paranga Beach - another popular beach. Full nudity is practised on the right end (facing the water). Becoming more popular for nudists that don't want the party atmosphere of Paradise and Super Paradise.
- Ornos Beach - a quiet family beach. Lots of umbrellas and lounges available for rent. Bathing suit bottoms are required on Ornos. The beach is lined with great restaurants, hotels and a nearby grocery store and town. Some hotels and restaurants are quite upscale. Serviced by bus and boat taxi.